Rent Control in California: Which Cities Have It and What It Means for You

California has two layers of rent control: local ordinances in cities that have had them for decades, and the statewide AB 1482 tenant protection law that covers buildings not subject to local ordinances. Understanding which law applies to your unit determines your rights.

AB 1482 Coverage

AB 1482 applies to most residential rentals in California that are not covered by a stricter local ordinance and were built before 2005. It limits annual rent increases to 5% plus local CPI, or 10% — whichever is lower. It also requires just cause for eviction. Buildings exempted from AB 1482 include: single-family homes (with some exceptions), condos sold separately, and buildings built in the last 15 years.

Local rent control is often stronger than AB 1482. Cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, and Santa Monica have local ordinances that provide stronger protections. Tenants in these cities should look to local law first. The California Tenant Defense System covers the rules for all major rent control jurisdictions.

The California Tenant Defense System gives renters the exact tools, templates, and step-by-step guidance to fight illegal evictions, recover wrongfully withheld security deposits, and enforce habitability rights — without paying an attorney to get started. Request your free evaluation here.